Centralizing mechanism for sewing machines



March 4, 1. 930. H. c. MILLER CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet March 4, 1930. MILLER 1,749,644

CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26; 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 24 MM I awozmtg H. c. MILLER 1,749,644

CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES March 4, 1930.

Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet .3

- March 4, 1930. I H, c, MILLER 1,749,644

CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 a0 a/g Z'wuentoz flzzakyd. 4/zzzer mkmmg March 4, 1.930. H. c. MILLER CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet I abtozmq Y March 4, 1930. H. c. MILLER 1,749,644

CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 gwuento'c //ezz/y G, Muller March 4, 1930. H. c. MILLER CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet March 4, 1930. H, c, MILLER 1,749,644

CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 He/z if a MZZZe/ (1H0: nu;

March 4, 1939. v c, MILLER l ,749,6f1-4 CENTRALIZING' MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed July 26. 1922 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Mar. 4, 1930 Parr. "r Fries HENRY c. MILLER, or warnnronn, NEW YORK CENTRALIZING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Application filed July 6,

My invention relates to improvements in sewing machines, particularly to What is known in the art as a centralizer, designed to accurately form a central buttonhole in' a 5 collar, orother article. i

In order to accurately deliver and locate a collar to the stitching mechanism by a mechanical locating means, the mechanism must be simple, eflicient, durable and arranged so loithat an operator can conveniently manipulate it and adjust the parts. Furthermore the mechanism must be of such a nature that it cannot'under any circumstances injure the work by the placing of too much strain there on, and for practical purposes it must be so arranged that with little training and experience an operator can produce first class work, and materially increase the output over the present methods employed.

provision of means for conveniently and quickly centralizing and gauging a collar, then automatically gripping the collar, and automatically releasing the centralizing means'from the collar and transferring the gripped and gauged collar to the buttonhole stitching machine, with the ends of the collar free or flexed, so that when it contacts with the-machine head it will not displace the gripped part of the-collar when placed under the cloth clamp. I

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for engaging a collar when centralizing it, and releasing the collar when delivering it to the buttonhole machine.

A further object of the invention is to providemeans for automaticallystarting the variousmechanisms when a locator or charger- An object of the present invention is the 1922. Serial No. 577,714.

actuating mechanism same being constructed and arranged to be tripped when a collar is positioned to receive a buttonhole, or to be manually tripped for restitching and repairing a buttonhole which has been im properly formed.

As a whole the objects of the invention are to provide improved means for centralh izing a collar; to provide a locator or charger for automatically gripping and gauging the centralized collar; to provide manual means for conveniently operating the charger to introduce the gripped and gauged collar to a buttonhole machine; to provide means actuated by the charger for automatically releasing a collar from the centralizer; to provide means actuated by the charger for operating a power control mechanism; to provide means actuated by the power control mechanism to automatically lower the cloth clamp kick the charger from the path of movement of the cloth clamp, and subsequently start the buttonhole machine; and to provide means for operatingthe power control mechanism either by the charger, or at the will of the opera-tor.

The invention also comprehends improve- 9 ments in the details of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved mechanism as applied to a Singer buttonhole machine, the latter being conventionally shown.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same,

with parts omitted to more particularly illustrate the connections.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the power control mechanism, and its connections.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the dash pot, forming a part of the connections of the power control mechanism.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the latch and associated parts on the buttonhole machine.

Figure 3 is a detail end view of the spring employed in the power control mechanism, to return the parts to normal position.

Figure 4 is a detail plan View of the charger and its supporting frame.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the trip toraise: thet'charger;

Figurez5is a detail section "of the charger,

takenon the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is'a similar view but illustrating the positionof the frame when the gripper is lowered.

F1gure7 1s an-inverted'detailvlew or' the gripper."

Figure 8 1s a detail perspective .view of the connection between the arms of the-central- 'izing mechanism.

Figure 9 is a detailsection of same on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the position of the levers when the power control mechanism is operated.

Figure 10 is a PSISPQCtlVGxVlQW of the centralizer as applied to a Reece or similar type buttonhole machine. 7 V

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of the means connecting the lower ends of the centralizing arms used on this form of the invention.

Figure 12 is a detail section of same on the line 1212 of Fig. 11.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the same illustrating in dotted lines the position of the parts when in normal position and in full. lines when introducing a collar to the button-- hole machine. 7

Figure 14 is a front view of the power control means, with the toothed wheel removed.

Figure 15 is a section of the same on line 1515 of Fig. 14.

Figure 16 is a detail perspective view of the dog employed in the powercontrol. v

In the drawings, 1 indicates a frame provided with a support 2, on which is mounted a buttonhole machine ofthe well known Singer square bar or purl stitch type with certain of my improvements applied thereto and which will he hereinafter specifically" referred to. In applying my improvements to this type of machine, the collar to be operated upon is centered lengthwise to, or parallel with the head, due tothe fact that the shown as extending outwardly from one end of the machine and at right angle to the head as shown in Fig. 1. I J

Depending from the front of the support 2, is a casting 4, provided with end bearings 5 and two intermediate bearings 6-6. In each end bearing 5 is a sleeve 6 andon the inner end thereof is fastened a mutilated pinion 7, and on the outer end of the sleeve is a centering arm 8. Mounted on studs 9 in the intermediate bearings 6, are mutilated gears 10, which mesh with the mutilated pinions 7. Each centering'arm 8, is provided with an offset 11, formed with an opening 12, and in alignment with the'opening is'a bore 13, formed in the free end or'hea-d ofsaid'arm.

extending from the arm .below'the ofi'set portion 11. On therod l l; :betweenthe offset portion '11, and a collar 16,*is :mounted 'a' spring-17 thetension of which normally projects the end l8,-'of-therod beyond the free:-

end of the head, The. lower end' of' the bell-- crank lever '15,'isdisposed: adj acentthe sleeve 6 to be engaged bya pin 19, mounted'in i said sleeve and normally Fproj ecting beyond; the rear end of same. The rear ends of the pins 19, are engaged loy arms-'20,-supported on a shaft2l mounted in bearings jonthe castlng 4, one end-of the shaftbeingcrankedasat 22, and at saidycrankecl endit is pro?" centering arms -8, 'aspring 424. is attached atand is attached at its opposite end to a pin on the casting 4, and to remove the shock' inci 1 dent to-the action ofthe spring;and-thereby cushion the movement when a collar-is re leased from the ends "18,;of the-rods, 1 provide chains- 25,*attachedat their outer ends to the arms and theirinner-ends secured to an intermediate spring 2 6..-

Mounted on the top rearc orner of the support 2,- is a standard, 27, provided with aligned hearings to receive a shaft 28.: On the shaft is fixed a tiltable frame '29, formed" on one side with a guideway-30yand onits opposite side with aligned-bearings;31, a

spring 30abeing-employedto hold the frame A in operative relation Sli dably mounted in the aligned bearings 31, is 'a..rod'32,=provided a on its rearend beyond the-frame'29; with 34, to lie over thetable' 3, Clamped on the right angle portion 34, at 35,- is a stem*36,

and on the'rear end of same is freely mounted-- a gripper 37,---which' isnormallyelevated 1 above the-table 3. *The grippercomprises a headand a pair:o'f -downwardly;curved arms 37 serrated on their rear lower edges as at 38, and extending across the two arms near the head is a bar 39, having pins 40,

turned downwardly as at 41, adjacent the serrated portions 38, said ends 41 projecting below the bottoms of the arms to form gauges.

42 indicates a trigger slidably mounted .under the frame 29. This trigger is provided with a slot 42 thru which passes a holding screw 43, and in advance of the slot and screw is an opening 44, adapted to register with a recess in the bottom of the frame 29. The rear end of-the trigger 42, is turned upwardly and is formed with an opening 46 thru which the rod 32 passes. The trigger is retracted toward the rear by a spring 47, secured at one end to the screw 43, and its opposite end is fastened to a pin 48, depending from the bar. Pro ect1ng upwardly from the support 2, and disposed in alignment with the recess :45, is a pin 45?, which at the proper time cooperates with the opening 44 and recess 45 but normally the trigger rides overthe upperend of the pin to hold the frame 29 elevated, as shown in Figure 5. To relieve the'shock, and cushion the parts when operated, leather or the like washers 49 are placed on the rod 32 between the upturned end of the trigger, the frame, and the collar 33.

i4 Extending laterally fromthe bar 32, and

guided in the guideway 30, of the frame 29,

is a trip 50, the outer end of which is positioned in the path of the lever 23 to actuate the depending arms 20 on the shaft 21, when T delivering a collar to the buttonhole machine.

'to the standard 27, and pivoted to another arm 56, of said lever is a link 57 which extends thru a pin 58, mounted in a lever 59, secured on a shaft 60. The link 57 projects some distance beyond the pin 58, and is provided with a spring 61, held normally in adjusted position below the pin 58 by a collar 62. On one end of the shaft 60, is an arm 63, to which is pivoted a lever 64 provided on its end with a roller 64*, the lever being held in operative position by a pin 65 and a spring 66. The roller 64 is positioned so that in one'movement of the shaft 60, it (the roller) will contact with an adjustable cam 67 secured on the crank arm 68, of the shaft 28, to upwardly tilt the frame 29 on its axis to release the collar.

Secured on the shaft 60, is a lever 70, to control the starting mechanism of the buttonhole machine. Pivoted to lever 70, is a rod 71, which extends thru a pin 72 pivoted in a lever 73, fixed to a clamp raising and startershaft 74. The rod extends beyond the pin and is provided with a collar 7 5, and on the rod between the pin 7 2 and an adjustable collar 76 is a spring 7 7 On the shaft 74 is an arm 78 with a roller 79, to engage the end of the clamp 79, and cooperating with the starting and stopping mechanism is a latch 80, mounted on a shaft 81 having means to be operated and controlled by said stopping and starting mechanism. This mechanism is shown and described in my Patent No. 1,457,742, dated June 5, 1923, in view of which it is not deemed necessary to illustrate it further than the diagrammatic illustration shown in the drawing.

Bolted in the lower part of frame 1, is a stud 83, provided at its inner end with a reduced portion 84. Rotatably mounted on the stud is a power driven wheel 85, and on the hub 86, of the latter is mounted a grooved trigger wheel 87. On one of the spokes of the power driven wheel is pivoted a dog 88, having a depending lug 89, which engages in a recess 90 formed in one of the spokes of the grooved trigger wheel 87. A pair of springs 91 connect the power driven wheel and the grooved trigger wheel and cause one wall 92 of the recess 90, to impinge the lug 89 to normally rock the dog on its pivot and hold its end in an elevated position, as shown in Fig. 14. The springs serve to bring the trigger wheel up against a stop 87, and therefore cause the two wheels to normally rotate together. On the reduced portion 84,

of the stud shaft is a bushing, and on this bushing is freely mounted a toothed wheel 93, held in position by a washer and a screw 94. Pivoted to the toothed wheel is a pitman 95, the end of which is formed into a piston 96, provided with a vent opening 97 i1.

and a valve seat 98, which receives a valve 99. The piston reciprocates in a cylinder 100 which is pivoted on a pin 101, extending from 'a lever 102 mounted on the shaft 60.

The cylinder is provided with an opening 103 M 1 having a valve 104 to regulate the descent of the piston, the piston and cylinder forming a dash pot to cushion the shock of the parts, as will appear later on in the description of the operation. I

' The lever 102, is located adjacent lever 59, and is provided about midway its length with a stud 104 on which is supported a substantially curved link 105, and to this link is attached one end of a spring 106, the lower end being secured at 107 to a bar on the frame 1.

To control the power from the power driven wheel, a belt 108 loosely lies in the groove of wheel 87, and is attached at one endtocanadjhstable isupport 109, secured to frame 21, 1 Toitheq; opposite end of :the belt is secured a compensating,springllO, and to the opposite end of the spring is attached a.

rodlll; vThe rod extends thru" an. opening formeddn a lug 112 on an arm 113. of'the I crankzlever. 54, and is providedwwith anigad-n justable collar 1115,. with whichithe lug cooperates, while the upper free end of the rod is formed into afinger grip which is arranged in convenient reach; of the operator.

The, foregoing description discloses 'the application ,ofthe invention to .a buttonhole machine of the Singer; type, which because of thewvay. in which the 'buttonhole is formed necessita'tesxa, charger-and means to release theiendsof a collar, but the, improvement is not; to .be .construed :as. being applicable i to this typegof machine alone, and; therefore in conditions; I

120 indicates conventionally a part -of-.-a

Reece buttonhole: machine wherein the head.

and stitching, mechanism move bodily in the formation .of .a 'buttonholen Mounted to swingron trunnions; 121-;under: the supportfor thermachine, is a frame 122, provided at opspeed and the same distance, and-when a col .lar is engaged by the ends 18, the movement I of 1the arms .is limited by thelength of the col ar;

positei endsxwitlrsbearings, 3123, similar. to bearings 5' in. the preferred iformof the in,

"v'ention, and provided with mutilated pina ions-and: gears, 124, and-rods 125, a spring 126 being employed to retain'the gearsand assoc ciated parts in 1 normalu-relation. On 513118 frame =122,;..is mounted a shaft. 127,- from which depend: arms; '128. to en gage. and actuate the :rods: 125. in one; direction, and 'extendmg. upwardly; from the shaft is an eXtension1129f.

Assoc-iatedwith: each bearing .123, is a centering arm 130, which receives a rod 131, con-- '-nected,-with :,a crank lever 132arranged in cooperative relation with& '.the rod 125,- the rodihavinga parts similar tov those; previously described.

threaded rod 136,1which is swivelledto the machine frame 137, and onthe rod is a nut 138 :to limit the .movement ,of :the swinging frame @122 in:onedirlection.=. Extending from the swinging frame is a lever 139, which contacts witlr-a lever 140, pivoted at 141--to the buttonh'ole 'machine base-, the'upper :end -.of

thislever being 1 positionedwto strike the i triggen-r142, to start ;the' abuttonhole machine;

Swivelled': under a the. bases-of the machine is a. lever: 143, a flexible connectionor chain 1 144 connecting one end of the'lever to the lowera-framea of the i sewing mechanism indi-a catedjat 1453.3 The opposite BIlClr-Of: the lever I 1432 is disposed adj acent; .the end. of the 'eX- tension 129; sothat when the sewing mechae nism operates and exerts a pull on the chain,:;

the lever 143will :be rockedyandzthru extenwithdraw the rods 131 in the arms 130.

sion 129, the. shaft. 127. will be rocked. and

centralizedcollar is delivered to the button+ liole machine. 7

I will now describe the operation of the improvement as shown applied to the Singer.

buttonhole machine shown in Figuresl to 9.

in Figure 1, that is the centering arms 8, are; spread apartby'thespring 24 and the mutilated pinions and gears 7 and 10, said arms. being held in this position by the flexible cons nection V 25+26. The operator now takes a collar: which has previously been button holed at its ends by another buttonholeiform-i Assume the parts are in the positionshowning .machine, and draws in'the centering arms slightly toward each other-and slips. 1

the end buttonholes over the-:ends 18 of the rods 14, and then releases the arms, which because of the action of the spring '24'and the gears areequally drawn apart and stretch the collar. and accurately centralize it over the table 3. I Obviously any length of collar. 1

can be'centered, as it islevidentthat-the centralizing armswill in every instance move toward and from each other at the same"- The center of'the collar having been acly until the stop collar 33contacts with the.

upturned end of the trigger 42, "and advances the latter against the, tension of spring 41' until the opening 44-aligns with the pin 45* and the recess 45,1 whereupon the front endof the charger frame is tilted-downwardly .curately located to be presented to the'but- T 'tonhole machine, the charger rod 32 is grasped by the operatorand moved forwardi thegrippers37, and the serrated edges. 38 engage the collar, indicated at b, and then the operator movesthe charger towards the but-1 tonholemachine, and in so doing thepro a jecting end 50 of the trippin 50, contactswith the upper end'of the lever 23 and thereby rocks'the' shaft 21,-which movement causes the ends of-arms 20-toforceithe ;rods19, to: I

the ends of said collar free or lfiex edwThe-t.

the collar reaches its properly located position under the cloth clamp, at which time the collar 54 contacts with the inturned end of the link 51, and thru its connectionswith arm 53 of the crank lever 54, rocks the latter, and thereby an upward pull is imparted to':the trigger rod 111, movement of the crank lever correspondingly pulls up the link 57 to position the spring'Gl for a future operation.

IThe pull on the trigger 111 causes the belt 108 to frictionally engage the trigger wheel 87, which causes said wheel to resist the pull of return springs 91 against the power driven wheel 85. This action retards the movement I of the trigger Wheel with reference to the power driven wheel and therefore the wall swings the dog 88 on itspivot, and its free end is brought into engagement with a tooth of the toothed wheel 93. The engagement of the dogwith the tooth wheel transmits rotary motion to the tooth wheel. and thru the vpitman 95 and cylinder 100 and its connection with the lever102, rocks the latter upwardly and correspondingly rocks the shaft 60. This rocking of the shaft raises the rod 71 and thru the lever 73 the lever 7 8 is raised and the cloth clamp which is spring actuated is first lowered to hold the collar, and upon further movement of rod 71 the connections controlled from'shaft 74 and not specifically illustrated start the buttonhole machine.

- Between thetime the clothclamp is low- 1 eredand the .buttonhol'e machine is started,

the parts are so timed that rocking the shaft 60 will. cause the latch lever 64 to contact with the cam 67, on rod 68 and rock the charger on its axis and elevate the gripper from the collar, and immediately thereafter, through the reversal of the movement of the crank lever 54, by lever 59 contacting with spring 61 and pulling on the connection 57, link 51 engages the collar 54 on rod 32 and accuracy of movement, and to compensate for any irregularity in movement, I provide the V springs 61 and 77, so that in case there is a slight variation in the action the springs will take-it up and prevent breakage. Inaddition to accomplishing these functions,

rocking of shaft 60, exerts a pull on spring 106, and places it under tension to subse- 'quently return the power control parts to normal, position.

Operation of the lever 73 actuates the starting mechanism which in turn rocks the shaft 81, and positions the latch 80, over the lug 7 780 andprevents actuation of the'shaft 74 until the complete cycle of operation f e buttonhole machine is completed. Ifthe stitches are properly formed, the stop motion mechanism will engage the stud 8O on the lever 80 and rock the shaft 81, and disengage the latch 80 from the lug 80 and the shaft 7 1, will permit operation of the cutting blade, and the cloth clamp will be elevated as a part of the cycle of operation of the buttonhole machine. If however the stitches are improperly formed, and the stop motion fails to come bacl: to normal position, the latch remains over the lug and neither the cutting blade or cloth clamp will be actuated, and the collar will therefore be held in located position.

To be assured that he collar is properly gauged as to the distance the buttonhole should be from the edge, the gauges 41 are provided. These gauges are at all times in contact with the table 3, irrespective of the position of the gripper, the very light spring 40" bein employed to maintain this relationship. (Jonsequently when the charger is moved toward a centralized collar, the gauges will contact with it and properly position it prior to the time the gripper is lowered. When the cloth clamp engages the collar and the gripper is elevated and kicked back, the gauges drag over the edge and surface of the collar, and automatically assume position to be moved back to gauge the next succeeding centralized collar, while the clamped collar is receiving the buttonhole. When the charger is released and automatically kicked back from the positioned collar, it is pushed back only a short distance out of the path of movement of the cloth clamp, but not far enough back to grip the next collar. The operator may however 9roceed to place the next collar on the ends 18 of the rods 14 to centralize the next collar, so that when the charger is manually drawn back, the next collar can be gauged and gripped and ready to be delivered to the buttonhole machine, as previously described.

In the return movement of the charger for gripping the next collar, the end of the trip 50 strikes the angularly disposed end of the lever 28, and flexes it outwardly, and permits said end 50* of the trip to pass and position itself on the opposite side of the lever to effect the release of the collar in the next operation.

lVhen the buttonhole machine is started, the spring 106 immediately commences to exert its tension, and to relieve the strain on the latch 80 and lug 80 and its cooperating parts on the buttonhole machine, the link 105 is provided. The link is so formed and positioned that when the lever 102 is moved upwardly, it draws said spring toward the shaft and close to the vertical alignment between the point of attachment 107 and the shaft, so that the line of pull, or the tension of the forming operation is performed, the ends are free, consequently 1f the cloth contacts with: the head of the machine itwill in no way with any tooth nearestit which creates laborspring is almost over the centerof said shaft as shown in Figure 3.

As the ends of the collar arereleased from the centralizer prior to belng delivered to the buttonhole machine, and when it is held by.

the cloth clamp during the period the stitch struction and arrangement of the'pitman and the cylinder connection. T hat is, to say, after the piston reaches its highest position, the

vents in the dash pot arrangement permit a comparatively free downward movement of the piston, and when the cylinder and its.

connections drop, the shock is cushioned: In

other words, in the operating of the power control, that is when the trigger belt .108

has been pulled, it causes the ,d-og to contact between the'dog and the engaged tooth, hence the tooth and dogwill not separate, and to this extent, even if pull on the belt should be removed in the first half of the revolution of ;the toothed wheel, the interlock would con-- tinue for the half stroke. Then immediately power.controlmechanism reference is: made,

. figure the dotted position of levers 59,

and 73 indicate the location of the levers in. their movement by the power control Whenfrom the tail of thecloth clamp and-thereby hole machine is completed.

the pitman connection reaches the highest point in the rotation of the wheel, that is one half revolution, the labor on the piston is relieved and the springs 91, come into play and return the trigger wheel to ts normal, position wlth respect to the-power wheel,

and in consequence of this movement the wall 92 of the recess 90, contacts with the'lug 89 and disengages the dog from the tooth andthe pit-man falls by gravity but the cylin, der and its connected parts remainelevated of the buttonuntil the cycle of movement To illustrate the operation of the connections between the actuated parts and the to the showing in Figs..2, 3 and 3". In this same was operated by either link 51--*or rod '111. Until said levers reach the dotted positions the motion of lever 59 is idle, but the movement of lever 70 to dotted position raises-lever 73, far enough to lift the arm 78 the cloth' clamp'inthis interval 'is lowered ,on the collar. Then upon further'co'ntinued mn ovement of the pitmanand cylinder'connectionv the levers 59, TOand 7 3 are farther moved and. in this movement the-lever:59,

acting on thespring 61, pulls'ron rod '57, and

kicks the charger away from the clamp, and theleversi70 and73 impart a further rocking movement to shaft 74 to start the vbuttonhole 7 machine. Upon the'startingof the buttonhole, machine, the latch-'80 is automatically;

located, in latching position over armZSO where it remains during the entire button wholeniaking cycle, as generally described in my aforesaid patent; The parts however are so proportionediandtimed that the lever 70 will accomplish its function'iof first lowering the cloth clamp, and immediatelyathereafter the lever 59 will act to kick out the charger, and following thisaction'the sewing machine will be started; The result is. that the action of'the power consecutively lowers the cloth clamp elevates and kicks the i charger out of the path of movement-of the cloth clamp, and starts the' buttonhole machine.

.plished the levers 59 andrZO, and' 7 3 :drop

After these actions have been accomback slightly and are heldinthis. position by the latch while the cycleof movement of the buttonhole machineiswbeing completed,

-:but of course in the meantimethe'pitman is returned to its normal position, while the cylinder remains suspended.

Going back to the position .of the parts while making and stitching a buttonhole, and assuming the operation is completed, and :therbuttonhole' has been properly formed, the stop inotion-mecl1anis1n latch (not shown) actuates the-lever 80 and rocks the shaft 81 and throwsz the latch 80 from over the lug 80 and permits shaft 74 to be rocked, which permits the cuttingblade to operate, and subsequently the lever78 acts on the cloth clampto elevate itand release the collar.

When the shaft 60 is reversely rocked the spring 106 pulls down the latch -leverfii, and -as the same is pivoted to lever 63; it passes by r thecam 67 to become positioned for :the next operation. Reversal of the movement' oft-the shaft 60, also raises the lever 59, 011 the rod Z57 but without imparting" any movement to :the latter, S'StllCl rod -was return'ed 'to'its normal position at the timethebharger was kicked from under the clothgclamp.

During-the time" the power control medianism parts are returning to normal position and to relieve the'shock and diminish -the noise, the dash pot arrangementcomesinto play. As the lever '102, lowers, the cylinder is correspondingly lowered,=-but because of the check valve 98 inth'e piston, and regulation of the egress of air'thru bent opening 103 obviouslyythe descent of the cylinder is retarded and the consequent cushion-removes all possibility of shock "on the-moving -parts:

If the stop motion fails to be returned accurately toits exact normal position, then the projection 8O on lever 80 will not be env.wiil not be elevated, nor will the cutting blade be operated, the cutting blade and cloth clamp being controlled by a defect in the thread, this mechanism being shown and described in my Patent Nol 1,457,742. It is, however, not deemed necessary to illustrate this mechanism, although it is evident it is important that mention of it be made to show that the power control mechanism may .be .used with such an arrangement.

. 'At'ter the buttonhole machine has completed lts operation and is stopped, and 1f 'per chance the stitches are improperly and to re-stitch the same buttonhole, the

operator pulls upon the rod 111 which again throws into operation the power control mechanism, and the stitching mechanism is again started to make another complete cycle. It is to be noted however that when re-stitching a buttonhole the movement'of the cylinder 100, is not asgreat as when first starting the mechanism inasmuch as the variouslevers are held suspended by the latch 80, although thestroke of the piston is always the same.

In addition to the cloth clamp and starter shaft 7 4 carrying the cloth clamp lifting lever 78, it may also be provided with thread control locking means such as shown in my -Patent No. 1,438,848 issued December 12,

, forms of cushioned stops.

will be understood that the cent-ralizer may 1922 (but not herein illustrated) which if the thread breaks or plays out in either the needle or'bobbin, it prevents the cutting of the buttonhole and prevents automatic raising of the cloth clamp until the stitches are properly mended; If this occurs, obviously the latch and associated parts will remain in suspended position and it is only necessary to replace the played out or broken thread, I .and then raise the rod 111 to re-start the stitching operation and mend the buttonhole, which if properly done, releases the collar, the power control having in the mean:

time beenautomatically disconnected.

It is evident that when theends 18 of the rods 14 are released from the end buttonbe manually pulled in both directions it de sired, but I prefer the arrangement shown and described.

As previously stated, Figs. 1 to 9 represent the application of the invention to the Singer e type of buttonhole machine, and to apply the power control, and at thesame time prevent raising the cloth clamp'andoperation of the cutting blade,,I must provide the automatic latch to utilize the centralizing .means, but when using the latter means I must use a charger as the buttonhole is made lengthwise of the machine.

In applying the invention to a machine, wherein the stitching mechanism is bodily moved in the formationof a buttonhole, such for instance as the Reece type, shown in Figures 10 to 13, or other machines making buttonholes crosswise of the arm, different conditions from those described must be met, and therefore the arrangement of the parts forming the improvements must correspondingly be made to meet the conditions.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 10 to 13 the whole centralizing mechanism swings on the trunnions 121 when centering a collar. The operator places the collar on the projecting ends 131 of the rods of the normally forwardly inclined arms in the same manner heretofore described, and then pushes on the handle 146 and swings the centralizing arms with the stretched collar attached, toward the buttonhole machine.

In doing this the lever 139 strikes the swivelled lever 140, and the latter contacts a with the trigger 142 and starts the buttonhole machine. The inward movement of the centralizer is limited by the lug 1254, contacting with the stop 138 on the stem 136, at which time the collar is properly located to receive the center buttonhole. tar-ting of the buttonhole machine automatically operates the cloth clamp to engage the collar as is customary in machines of this type, and then the moving arm and stitching mechanism, including the arm are automatically put into operation, which pulls on the flexible member 144 and rocks the swivelled lever 143 and its opposite end engages the extension 129. Movement of the extension 129, rocks the shaft 127, and the arms 128 act on the rods 125 to withdraw the rods 131 and thereby the collar is released.

Figure 13 illustrates an end view of the form of centralizing mechanism used on the Reece type of machine, the full lines representing the position of the parts when the collar is introduced to the buttonhole machine, and the latter is started, and the dotted lines indicating the position of the parts erate the cutting blade of the buttonhole pm'achineyandthenrthe power lSJaUtOH'IE/LtlCal-ZiGHdS Of thearms to'center an=1article,' -means ly throwntoithet stitching mechanism. eAfter the stitching is completed the partsware thrown-rte .norinahpositi'on. and :the clothfi tion'of the arms.

clamp is automatically .e'levated'to release the collar. Therefore, whenmy. improved cenv tra'lizer-is applied to thistypeof machine,

=1 alltheoperatorlhas to do is to move the cen- ''tralizer-with afcollarth'ereon toward. the

1O buttonhole *machine*,rand bynmeans such as described" thea'trigger 1142-: is operated, thus simplifyingthe-motions of the operator when making buttonholes.

- In i the 'centralizeri mechanism for either typeoat machine'theicollar engaging rods arewithdrawn I at :any position :of the arms, no matterwhat size collar maybe operated on,

the operatorhaving tozpay'noattention-as to.

sizes and variations thereof. The whole cycle ofoperation: is performed and the centralizing movement instretchmg a collar: 1s:en-

tirely independent fOf the-operator inso far as starting-the machine is concerned,-;th1s being duetothetact that'z-thesprings are arranged to spread the centralizing arms as the collar is :placedfiin position on. therodsss This" is true "irrespective 50f whether-:or not large orsmall SlZBi collars-are heinglocated.

What I'claiinxis: 1:2A' centra'hzer, comprismgr a pair of swinging arms firecratttheir endszto engage an 1 article-to bei centered, andi-nieans ope-rating on :thearms at1tli'e1r prvotal points and free of-other connection with the. armsto cause said arms to swing inzunison. 2.A centralizer, compris ng a pa1r:=of

swinging arms free at: their ends: to swing in-anarcand to engage'anartlcle to'be cente-redyand" means including a-series-ot rotatahly mounted elements for operating-"the a-rms to cause them. to swing -an e'qu1aldistance to-a ndrfrom a predetermined: center. 3. A centralizer,:comprising a pair of swinging arms ot exactly equal length from gage and stretch anzarticle.tobeicentered,

rotating means-connectingtthe' arms to cause them-to swingan equal distance to and from a predetermined center.

LA 'centralizer, compris ng a painof swinging arms free at their ends, gauging "pins at the: free ends of the swinglngarms andoperating in: li-ne ther-ewith to ziengage an article to hecentered,-and means connecting-the arms to cause t-hem toswing: n unison.

- 0. A centralizer, comprising a pair of 1 swinging-arms free at their ends, gauges on =the free ends o'f-the' arms to engage 'an art1 i cl'e to he centerech means connecting the arms toscause them toswingin unisomand'means -for releasing the centered article in any position of the arms.-

6: A' centr'alizerp comprisinga pair of ated upon.

for 2 causing the arms: to ,move the same dis- 'tance toward and fromeach other, and means for releasing the. centered article in any posi- A ccntralizer, comprising two arms piv- IOtGCl at: their. lower ends, gauges at the free ends oft-he two arms, means connecting the two arms to cause their upper freeends to swingtoward and from aipredetermined' cen-; ter, and meansforireleasing a centered and gauged article inany position oftheswingingarms. 7

8. A centralizer,comprisingtwo armsconnected together to swing the same. distance toward and from each other, hollow shafts on whichthearms are mounted, gauges at the free ends of the arms, and means in the hollow shafts for pro1ect1ngror withdrawing the gauges in any positionof; the swinging 93A :"collar centralizer; for 'buttonhole stitching machine's, comprising two swinging 'arins'to which the ends of the collar are re 1 movably secured, rotating means connecting;

the arms to cause: them'to swing in unison tromeach other when centering acollar-,-and

=i-manual means for swinging the armstoward each" other.

-,10.-A'centralizer, comprising two moving;

elements adapted tomove an equal distance toward and from each 1 other and having gaugesto engage an articleto becentered, means for releasing the gauges from the article, and means engaging the centered arti -cle and delivering it to mechanism where it is tobe operated upon and'in this movement actuating-the means for releasingwthe gauges from the article.

11. A centr'alizer, comprising'two moving elements adaptedtov move 'an :equal distance toward and from eachl'other'; and. having gauges to engage an; article to be centered,

- meanstor engaging the centered; articlei'and deliverlng it to mechanism where it is to be" operated upon,'an'd automatic means for re tered, automaticmeans'to cause-the two elements to gauge and'cententhearticle, and means for holding :the .gaugedrzarticle :at; its center to advance it to a: machine to be oper- 13. In combination, a lou-ttonholeLmachine, two elements adapted to-"be movedtoward and fromeach other and locatedfieach 'side of'and beyond the stitehing point' ofthegbuttonh-olevmachine, gauges 'on the elements toengage the end buttonholes in a collar, means for presenting thecentered collar to the buttonhole machine to receive the center buttonhole, and means for automatically releasing the gauges from the collar before completion of the center buttonhole 14. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a centralizer to center a collar in advance of the'buttonhole machine, means for conveying the centered collar to the buttonhole machine, and means actuated by the conveying means when introducing a collar tothe buttonhole machine to start the latter.

15. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a centralizer to center a collar in advance of the buttonhole machine, means for conveying the centered collar to the buttonhole machine,

' means actuated by the conveying means when introducing a collar to the buttonhole machine to start the latter, and means for automatically releasing the collar from the centralizing means.

' 16. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a centralizer to center a collar in advance of the buttonhole machine, means for conveying the centered collar to the buttonhole machine, means actuated by the conveying means when introducing a collar to the. buttonhole machine to start the latter, and means actu ated by movement of the conveying means to automatically release the collar from the centralizing means.

17. In combination, a buttonhole machine including automatic cloth clamp operating means, automatic starting mechanism, means engaging the ends of an article to locate same with reference to the buttonhole machine including two elements movable equal distances toward and from each other simultaneously, manually operated means for subsequent automatic gripping of the located article and to thereafter introduce the article to the buttonhole machine and automatically release the ends of the article and lower the cloth clamp and release the conveying means from the article after the cloth clamp has automatically clamped the article, and actuate the starting mechanism.

18. In combination, a buttonhole machine including automatic cloth clamp operating means, and starting mechanism, a centralizer including elements movable simultaneously and equi-distances toward and from each other, means to automatically move the elements away from each other to stretch an article engaged thereby, a manually operated charger including a gripper and edge gauge, means to cause the gripper and gauge to engage'an article when the charger is moved in one direction, means for automatically releasing the article from the centralizer when the manual movement of the charger is reversed to introduce the article to the reverse movement of the charger to lower the cloth clamp, and subsequently release the article from the gripper, and start the buttonhole machine.

19. In combination, a buttonhole machine comprising a cloth clamp, means for operating the cloth clamp, a centralizer for stretching and centering a collar in advance of the buttonhole machine, a manually operable charger including grippers and an edge gauge, means for disengaging the centralizer from the ends of the article being centered when moving the charger toward the buttonhole machine.

20. In combination, a buttonhole machine including a cloth clamp, means for operating the cloth clamp and starting mechanism, centralizing mechanism including two elements located in advance of the buttonhole machine, means for causing the two elements to move simultaneously toward and from each other, mechanical means for automatically operating the two elements to stretch an article to centralize it, and means for delivering the centered collar to the buttonhole machine and releasing said collar from the centralizer, op erating the cloth clamp, disengaging the article from the delivery means, and starting the buttonhole machine.

21. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a centralizer comprising two pivoted moving elements of the same length, means connecting' the two elements together to cause them to swing simultaneously the same distance toward and from each other, automatic means for moving the elements apart a predetermined distance, the movementapart of the two elements within the predetermined distance being limited by the article being centered, and means for delivering the centered article to the buttonhole machine.

22. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a cloth clamp, means for operating the cloth clamp, starting mechanism, a centralizer, a charger including means for gripping the centralized article, means actuated ly the charger to operate the cloth clamp and release the gripping means and kick the charger from the cloth clamp, and start the but tonhole machine.

23. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a centralizer comprising a pair of pivoted arms, gears between the arms, means for causing the arms to normally spread apart, rods mounted in the arms, the ends of the rods extending beyond the arms to engage an article to be centered, means for normal- 1y projecting the rods, crank levers at the ends of the rods, a charger for delivering the centered article to the buttonhole machine, and means operated by the charger to actuate the crank levers to withdraw the rods and release the centered article.

24. In combination, a buttonhole machine, including a cloth clamp and starting mechanism, a centralizer including means to engage the ends of an, article tobe centered, a charger, power m6Ch3iD1Sm, CI1I16Ct1 11g meansbetween the starting mechanism and cloth clamp, connecting means between the J powermecnanism and charger, both saidconnecting means being actuated when the charger is moved toward the buttonhole machine. I p p '25. In combination, a buttonhole machine,

including starting mechanism, a centralizer including devices to engage an article to be centered, a charger to introduce the centered article to the buttonhole machine, power control mechanism, connections between the power control mechanism and the charger and between the starting mechanism and the power control mechanism, said connections beini controlled b the char er to operate the power control mechanism and govern the starting mechanism, and 1 cans included in the power control mechanism to vdisccnnect the power following a predetermined actuationof such mechanism, said means permitting the power control mechanism to assume a normal position prior to the stopping of the buttonhole machine. r d

' 28. In combination,.a buttonhole machine,

, a charger therefor, including a gripper and I edgegauge, means for mounting the charger including means for moving the gripper and edge gauge toward and from the article being operated upon, power mechanism, means operated when advancing a gauged article to the buttonhole machine to operate the power mechanism to startthe buttonhole machine, and means actuated by the power mechanism to raise the gripper and kick it from the buttonhole machine. v 2T Iii combination, a buttonhole machine,

a charger therefor, including a gripper and edge gauge,-means for mounting the charger including means for moving the gripper and edge gauge toward and from the article being operated upon, power mechanism, means operated when advancing a gauged article to the buttonhole machine to operate the power mechanism to start the buttonhole machine, means actuated by the power mechanism to raise the gripper and kick it from thebuttonhole machine, and means included in the power means for returning the means for starting the buttonhole machine and the means to raise the gripper to normal position previous to stopping the operation of the buttonhole machine. I 1 V 28. In combination, a buttonhole machine,

includin a cloth clam means for an in 6 7 b D 23 an article to be operated upon, a charger to deliver the article to the buttonhole machine, means for 'slidably mounting the charger, means for raising and lowering the. charger, power mechanism, and connections between the power mechanism and the charger to lower the cloth clamp, and automatically elevatethe charger from the articleand hick same awayfrointhe cloth clamp after charger is advanced to" deliver the article to" the buttonhole machine, and start the buttonliole machine. I l

29. In combination, a buttoi'ihole machine,

a charger therefor comprising a pivoted frame, a'slidable member having a recess and mounted on the pivoted frame, a postover which the member rides, the frame having a recess inalignment with the post, a rod slidably mounted in the frame, stops on the rod to cooperate with the slidable member, a gripper on the rod, power mechanism, and" ac'onnection disposed in the path of'movement of one of the stops, whereby when the charger is moved in one direction one of the stops will engage the slidable member and registerits recess with tlie'p'o'st and permit the gripper to fall to engage an article and when the movement of said charger is' reversed another of the steps will engage the connection and operate the power mechanism" to elevate the grippers and kick said charger away from the buttonhole machine, and start the buttonhole machine. y 30, In combination, abi ttonhole machine, a charger including a gripper, eans for' permitting the charger to be raised and lowered, power mechanism, a connection be tween the power mechanism and the charger. including means actuated by the charger for causing the power mechanism to automati' i cally elevate the charger and'kick the charger. away from the buttonhol'e machine, and start the buttonhole machine. i

31. In combination, a buttonhole machine,- including' starting mechanism and a cloth clamp,a charger to deliver an article to the buttonhole machine, power "control fmechanism including a 'connectionto actuate the ito cloth clamp and the starting mechanism and i a, connection to the charger, power mecha- V nism, and'means operated when the conned tion to the charger is actuated'bythe latter to cause the'p'ower ii'iechanism to operate the power control mechanism and lower the cloth clamp and a'utomatical'ly raise the charger and kick the latter away from the buttonhole machine; and start the buttonhole machine. V I V 32.1n combination, a butt'onliole machine including a cloth clamp, starting mechanism and a latchto prevent raising the cloth clamp I iso means for locating and introducing an article to the buttonhole machine'to receive a buttonhole, a power driven element, means actuated by the collar locating and introducing means to cause the power driven element to start the buttonhole machine including means for automatically disconnecting the power driven element.

34. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a continuously driven power element, means between the buttonhole machine and power element to permit said power element to be connected and disconnected from the machine, said means including a toothed wheel normally free of the power element, and a dog to engage and operate the toothed wheel in the movement of the power element.

35. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a continuously driven power element, means between the power element and buttonhole machineto connect and disconnect said eleto be operated by said power element, and

means to'return said parts to normal position, whereby the toothed wheel is free of V the power element after the machine has started and prior to its stopping.

86. A collar centralizer for buttonhole stitching machines, comprising a pair of swinging arms free at their ends to engage a collar to be centered, and means connecting the arms to cause them to swing in unison in a direction away from each other to center the collar engaged.

37. A collar centralizer for buttonhole stitching machines, comprising a pair of swinging arms free at their ends to swing in an arc and to engage a collar to be centered, and means connecting the arms to cause them to swing an equal distance to and from a predetermined center, the movement of the arms from the predetermined center serving to center the collar engaged.

38. A centralizer, comprising two swinging arms, means for automatically swinging the arms from each other when centering an article, and manual means for swingingthe arms toward each other.

39. A centralizer, comprising two moving elements connected together to move an equal distance toward and from each other and carrying end gauges, means to cause the two elements and gauges to move equal distances toward and from each other irrespectlve of a the length of the article being centered, au

buttonhole machine, the ends of the said arms when in normal position being a distance apart at least equal to the over-all Width of the fabric to be charged, and means to carry the centered fabric from the centralizer to a position under the clamp of the sewing machine.

41. In combination, a buttonhole machine including a cloth clamp, starting mechanism, and a latch to prevent raising the cloth clamp if the starting mechanism fails to stop in a normal position, a charger including a gripper and a gauge, a cushion, power. mechanism, means actuated in the movement of the charger to cause the power mechanism to lower the cloth clamp and actuate the starting mechanism and kick the charger from the buttonhole machine and start the stitching mechanism, means included in the power mechanism to permit the parts to return to normal position before the buttonhole machine stops, and means for releasing the power means and stopping the stitching mechanism and relieving the blow through the action of the cushion when the parts are assuming a state of rest.

42. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a fabric supporting extension thereon, a charger movably supported on the machine, grippers on the charger extending over the fabric supporting extension, centering means operating to center an article relative to and on the fabric supporting extension, means to trip the grippers to cause the same to grip the article on the fabric supporting exten sion following the centering of the article, means to move the charger with the gripped article toward the buttonhole machine, and means for automatically releasing the article from the centering means while the charger is in operation.

43. In combination, a buttonhole machine, a fabric supporting extension thereon, a charger movably supported on the machine, grippers on the charger extending over the fabric supporting extension, centering means operating to center an article relative to'and on the fabric supporting extension, means to trip the grippers to cause the same to grip the article on the fabric supporting extension following the centering of the article, means to move the charger with the gripped article toward the buttonhole machine, means for automatically releasing the article from the centering means while the charger is in operation, and means operated by the charger for automatically starting the buttonhole machine.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

HENRY C. MILLER. 

